A European Forest reindeer rubs his antlers on a Christmas tree in an enclosure at the Berlin Zoological Garden in Berlin, Germany, 29 December 2021. The Berlin Zoological Garden feeds traditionally not-sold, untreated, leftover Christmas trees to animals.Photo:IC

A herd of goats grazing on a London city farm are getting their teeth into hundreds of unwanted Christmas trees donated by residents in a fundraising drive.

The eight goats can't get enough of the discarded firs, which the Kentish Town City Farm is collecting from outside homes in the area.

Trustee Angela Woods said the project started in 2021 "when one of our staff who's got a real soft spot for the goats saw a video of goats eating Christmas trees and thought, 'Oh, I might try that.'"

The pine needles aren't just a tasty treat but also a "natural de-wormer," she explained. 

In a video posted on Twitter, the goats bowl over a staff member carrying a tree and tear at its needles as she lies in the mud. After pioneering the project in 2021, the farm has widened its drive to 650 trees - the juiciest of which go the goats. 

The remainder will be turned into woodchips for a nearby park.